Saturday 25th July - Friday 31st July 2020

Intro:

The NW winds at the beginning of the week had a few observers heading to various coastal headlands, so I’ll start with seabirds this week.

Seabirds:

Late July can often produce small numbers of Arctic Skuas lingering off the coast, harassing Kittiwakes and Terns for an easy meal.  This again proved to be the case, with a sighting of one Arctic Skua off Cemlyn (28^th & 29^th) and another off Point Lynas (27^th).  There was a good movement of Manx Shearwater with 1500 per hour past Point Lynas (27^th) and 3600 over 2 hours past South Stack (28^th).  5 Puffins were seen off Cemlyn - Hen Borth (25^th) and 1 off South Stack during a sea-watch (28^th).

Waders:

The 2 summer plumaged Purple Sandpipers were reported again from the tip of the Trwyn, Cemlyn (28^th).  Sanderling were reported from 2 sites, with 4 birds at Cemlyn (27^th) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (30^th).  Turnstone numbers have increased markedly, with 50 at Cemlyn (28^th) and there were 85 Dunlin on the Inland Sea (31^st).  The Alaw estuary continues to hold good numbers of Greenshank with the highest count being 14 (31^st).  Common Sandpipers were reported from the Alaw estuary where the highest count was 7 (26^th) and at the Inland Sea where the highest count was 6 (28^th).  There were 2 Whimbrel on the Alaw estuary (26^th & 30^th) and 1 on the Inland Sea (30^th).  The flooded field off Gorad road, Valley is fast becoming one of the most easily accessible and regular sites for Black-tailed Godwit; 2 birds were present (25^th-26^th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was seen at Cemlyn (25^th, 26^th, 27^th), whilst the number of Mediterranean Gulls on the Alaw estuary breached the 100 mark with 109 birds being reported (26^th).  Up to 5 Mediterranean Gulls were off Penrhos Costal Park (27^th).  127 Kittiwake past South Stack in a 2 hour sea-watch (28^th).

Passerines:

Following the June record of an adult Rose-coloured Starling at Cemaes, another was seen feeding in the cheery trees adjacent to the public car park (behind village hall) and down towards Traeth Bach (29th - 31st).  

Photo of Rose-coloured Starling (aka Rosy Starling) by Steve Culley - 29/07/20.

Directions by Steve Culley - 29/07/20 - bird seen in bush with Common Starlings at point indicated by arrow.  X marks area bird seen flying towards.

Also present among the Starling flock (30th) was a juvenile Common Starling with a yellow darvic ring on its left leg which has been traced back to a ringing scheme in Norfolk.  The bird was ringed in Thetford, Norfolk on the 18/6/20.   2 Crossbills flew over Carmel Head (26^th) and a Reed Warbler was heard singing briefly and carrying food at Hen Borth – a probable indication of breeding at this site (25^th).  Sand Martins were seen to be still entering nest holes on a beach north of Aberffraw and were observed removing a faecal sac, which seems like evidence of late rearing of young (31^st).  There have been good numbers of Chough, with sightings of 5 birds on the Inland Sea (28^th) and almost constant sightings of birds in groups of 2s and 3s, with one larger group of 5.  Please keep an eye out for colour ringed birds and report sightings to Adriennestratford@gmail.com.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (29^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A Common Eider in eclipse plumage was seen at Hen Borth (25^th -26^th) and 4 Common Scoter flew past South Stack in a 2 hour sea-watch (28^th).  A Wigeon was on the Inland Sea (31^st).

Divers & Grebes: 

A Red-throated Diver was in the bay at Cemlyn (26^th).

Raptors:

Nothing of particular note. 

Other:

News emerged just after last week’s update that there had been a Green Woodpecker at Pentraeth on the 23^rd July. It was feeding by the Community Hall, flew in to an ash tree behind the Hall and then departed south, yaffling.

Species – year to date:

The addition of Green Woodpecker takes the Anglesey 2020 year list up by 1 to 199.

The forthcoming week 1^st August – 7^th August?

This has been a good week for rare terns, with Whiskered Tern at Llyn Maelog (3^rd) in 2002, Caspian Tern at Cemlyn (5^th) in 1988 and White-winged Black Tern (6^th) at Ynys Feurig, Rhosneigr (6^th) in 1977.  Cory’s Shearwater has featured twice, with both birds being off South Stack and both on the 6^th – one in 1981 and one in 1987.  There was a Spotted Crake at Malltraeth (7^th) in 2001 and a Rose-coloured Starling at Llanfachraeth (7^th) in 2003.

Saturday 18th July – Friday 24th July 2020

Intro:

To butcher a parliamentary idiom; Waders to the right, Seabirds to the left – the waders have it – but just by a small margin.  So that is where I'll start.

Waders:

The headline bird in terms of scarcity was a Red-necked Phalarope seen at Cemlyn (21^st).  Seen by a single observer, the bird failed to do the decent thing and wait until later in the morning when news broke and a number of hopeful birders arrived.  The same applied to a Little Ringed Plover that was also seen at Cemlyn (21^st).  Small compensation, but a good sighting nonetheless, was that of 2 summer plumaged Purple Sandpipers off the tip of the Trwyn, Cemlyn (21^st).  There were good numbers of both scarcer and more common waders across the week.  On the scarcer end of the spectrum, a Green Sandpiper was seen on the Alaw estuary (19^th).  4 Knot were in Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd), with 4 Sanderling (23^rd) and 46 Dunlin (23^rd).  2 Turnstones were on the rocks off the Range, South Stack (20^th).  2 Whimbrel were at Cemlyn (19^th), with 2 on the Alaw Estuary (19^th, 22^nd, 24^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  There were up to 12 Greenshank on the Alaw estuary (12 on the 19^th & 22^nd) and 4 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  8 Bar-tailed Godwits were at Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd), with 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the Alaw estuary (21^st) and 1 in Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd).  Up to 8 Common Sandpiper were seen on the Alaw estuary (8 on the 19^th).  There was an impressive count of 210 Oystercatchers at Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd) together with 125 Curlew (23^rd).  Lapwing numbers south of Llyn Trafwll have built up to c. 40 birds (19^th).

Seabirds:

It won’t be long until the ‘Skua season’ gets into full swing.  Following on from the recent sightings of Great Skuas, it was the turn of Arctic Skuas with 4 seen off Cemlyn (19^th), with another off the same site (22^nd).  There seems to have been some good, an early, numbers of Long-tailed Skua elsewhere in the UK and there must be a good chance of one off the Anglesey coast in coming weeks.  It seems that the auks are leaving the cliffs at South Stack following the conclusion of their breeding season.  Whilst there were 12 Puffins earlier in the week (20^th), numbers had fallen to just 2 (24^th).  Common Guillemot numbers had fallen drastically to just 5 birds (24^th).  8 Black Guillemot were at Holyhead Fish Quay (18^th) and 7 off Trwyn y Penrhyn, near Penmon (18^th). 

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was at Cemlyn (18^th & 19^th); the bird seems to favour the stony beach area on the main island that can be viewed from the approach road.  Following the sighting of a Sooty Tern at Cemlyn earlier in the year, there have been subsequent sightings in Suffolk and this week off the Ayrshire coast (23^rd); let’s hope it is on its way back down the Irish Sea and drops into the Cemlyn tern colony for an extended stay.  Mediterranean Gulls are still being seen in very good numbers with 93 on the Alaw estuary (24^th), 51 on the Alaw estuary (22^nd), 14 on the Alaw Estuary (19^th), 9 + in Beddmanarch Bay (23^rd), 1 over Cemaes (21^st) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  There are still some 200 Kittiwake at South Stack (24^th).

Passerines:

2 pairs of Yellowhammer were at Llandyfrydog (18^th), with 2 Northern Wheatear at Cemlyn (19^th) & 1 at Cemlyn - Carmel Head (24^th), a Lesser Whitethroat at Llyn Trafwll (19^th) and a juvenile Common Cuckoo at Porth y Mor, near Traeth Lligwy (21^st).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great Egret flew over Llyn Dinam (19^th) and 10 Little Egrets were at Traeth Dulas (19^th).  A Quail was heard calling near Llandyfrydog (21^st) and may be the same bird as heard back on the 16^th May.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

8 Common Eider were off Trwyn y Penrhyn, near Penmon (18^th).  A single Wigeon was at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

An early juvenile Red-throated Diver was in the mouth of the Menai Strait, off Trwyn y Penrhyn, near Penmon (18^th).

Raptors:

A Little Owl was at Cemlyn (19^th).  There was a male Marsh Harrier at Llyn Penrhyn (19^th) and a juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen hunting coastal fields east of Borthwen, Rhoscolyn (24^th). 

Other:

A Kingfisher was on the Alaw estuary (19^th & 22^nd).

Species – year to date:

The addition of Red-necked Phalarope takes the Anglesey 2020 year list up by 1 to 198.

The forthcoming week 25^th July – 31^st July?:

The quiet period for scarce and rare birds on Anglesey continues, with just three records of note; a well watched Rose-coloured Starling at Moelfre (26^th) in 1994, a Spotted Crake at Malltraeth (30^th) in 2014 and a Black Stork on the Alaw Estuary (31^st) in 2007.

Saturday 11th July – Friday 17th July 2020

Intro:

Let’s start with Gulls.

Gulls and Terns:

Mediterranean Gull is the most recent addition to the species of seabird breeding in the UK, having undergone a significant range expansion over the last 60 years.  A westward expansion started in Hungary, where it was breeding regularly by 1953, then into Germany and Belgium during the 1960s and the Netherlands by 1970.  The first breeding occurrence in Britain was in 1968, at Needs Ore Point (Hampshire). Thereafter, a pair bred at Dungeness (Kent), in 1979, increasing to two pairs by 1985. On Anglesey, there have been several breeding attempts at the Black-headed Gull and Tern colony at Cemlyn from 2009 onwards (Source: JNCC ).

Mediterranean Gull, Penrhos Coastal Park - 07/08/18 - Photo by Martin Jones

In addition to the birds over-summering and attempting to breed, there is a movement of birds through Anglesey in the early summer.  Some may be bound for the likes of Dublin Bay where there is a good wintering population.  Others will stay and winter on the Inland Sea and Beddmanarch Bay, whilst smaller numbers can be found at other sites where smaller gulls congregate such as Cemlyn, Traeth Dulas etc.  A number of these gulls are ringed with colour coded Dravic rings, which show that they originate from colonies across Europe including those in France, Belgium and Germany. For details on colour ringed schemes, see http://medgull.free.fr/pages/codes.php

This week has seen a marked increase in the number of Mediterranean Gulls being seen, with 71 on the Alaw estuary (15^th), 39 on the Inland Sea (14^th), 44 on the Alaw estuary (13^th), 31 on the Inland Sea (13^th) and 17 in Beddmanarch Bay (12^th).  A single adult was off Penrhos Coastal park (13^th) – (this is a good site over the summer for Mediterranean Gulls when several can often be found among the Black-headed Gulls.  The car park makes for good viewing especially for anyone not able to access some of the other sites - It is always worth a quick stop to scan the gulls if you are passing).

Common Gulls are also starting to return with one at Beddmanarch Bay (12^th) and 2 on the Alaw estuary (13^th).  19 Kittiwake were seen during a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (14^th).  A Roseate Tern was at Cemlyn (15^th).

Seabirds:

Puffins continue to be seen around the island with 4 at South Stack (11^th), c.20 from a boat trip between Beaumaris and Llandonna (12^th) and 4 during a sea-watch off the Range (14^th).  Black Guillemots were also reported from several sites including 9 from the aforementioned boat trip, 2 from Porth eilian (12^th) and 1 off Cemlyn (14^th).  A Great Skua (a.k.a. Bonxie) was seen off the Range, South Stack (14^th) and there was a belated report of 2 seen off Point Lynas (6^th).

Waders:

The majority of reports are still coming from the Alaw estuary where there have been daily counts of between 8 and 11 Greenshank (11 on 15^th), up to 16 Redshank (16 on 13^th), up to 3 Whimbrel (3 on 15^th), up to 8 Common Sandpiper (8 on 15^th) and 11 Dunlin (15^th).  There were 6 Bar-tailed Godwit in Beddmanarch Bay (12^th), with possibly the same six birds on the Inland Sea (13^th).  The Inland Sea also held 4 Whimbrel (14^th).

Passerines:

Up to 2 Hooded Crows were around the entrance to Bodwarrren Farm between South Stack and the Range (13^th - 14^th).  Update on sightings around Cors Bodelio included details of three pairs of Grasshopper Warblers on site this year.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

A Great White Egret was reported from RSPB Cors Ddyga (11^th), with another seen flying low over Caergeiliog (15^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

An Eider was off Cemlyn (14^th) and a single Wigeon was on the Alaw estuary (13^th).  8 Common Scoter were seen off the Range, South Stack (14^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

Nothing of note reported.

Raptors:

Little Owls continue to show well at Cemlyn (14^th).  A female Peregrine is still taking tern chicks from the Cemlyn colony (13^th).  Aside from their regular haunts, Marsh Harrier were reported at Llandegfan (17^th) and south of Llyn Trafwll (17^th).

Other:

A Kingfisher was on the Alaw estuary (13^th).

Species – year to date:

There were no new species this week, with the running total for 2020 remaining at 197.

The forthcoming week 18^th July – 24^th July?:

A very quiet time of year for scarce and rare birds, with only two records of note; a Corn Crake at Tregele (19^th) in 2012 and a Pectoral sandpiper (24^th) at Llyn Alaw in 1980.

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2

Saturday 4th July – Friday 10th July 2020

Intro:

Wader passage is still building, but attention is also starting to turn to seabirds.

Seabirds:

An early Balearic Shearwater flew past Point Lynas (6^th).  Manx Shearwaters are passing in reasonable numbers with 362 seen during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th), 84 in 1hr off South Stack (10^th) and 355 in 1hr off the Range (9^th).  Puffins have featured strongly post the lifting of lockdown travel restrictions with up to 5 birds seen on the cliffs at South Stack (6^th – 8^th), 6 seen during a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (10^th) and 1 during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th). Gannet numbers are building up with 30 birds seen during a 2hr sea-watch off South Stack (5^th), 7 off South Stack in a 1hr sea-watch (10^th) and 23 during a 1hr off the Range (10^th).  2 Black Guillemot were off Moelfre (4^th).

Waders:

The Alaw estuary seems to be the place to be for waders at the moment.  Up to 7 Greenshank have been on the estuary (5 – 4^th &7^th, 7 – 9^th, 6 – 10^th).  Common Sandpiper continue to make a good showing with up to 8 birds (4 – 4^th, 2 – 7^th, 8 – 9^th, 6 – 10^th).  There was also 1 Common Sandpiper at Cemlyn (8^th).  Dunlin numbers are still quite low, with 4 at the Alaw estuary (9^th) and 5 at Cemlyn (4^th).  There were 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Cemlyn (8^th) and 1 on the Alaw estuary (9^th).  There were 15 Turnstone at Cemlyn (4^th) and 7 Redshank on the Alaw estuary (9^th). 

Passerines:

There was a female Cuckoo at Cemlyn (4^th).  Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Blackcap are still present at RSPB Cors Ddyga (9^th &10^th).  2 Crossbill were in the plantation, South Stack (9^th).  A Hooded Crow was on the drive to Bodwarren farm, South Stack (8th).

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was at Cemlyn (6^th). 2 Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th), 1 at Cemlyn (4^th) and 3 at the Alaw estuary (9^th). 

Herons, Egrets and allies:

13 Little Egrets were on the Alaw estuary (9^th).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

26 Common Scoter were seen in a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (9^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

An early Red-throated Diver flew past Point Lynas (6^th).

Raptors:

Hobby at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th).  A Marsh Harrier was at RSPB Valley wetlands (5^th) and up to 3 birds are at RSPB Cors Ddyga.  At least 2 Little Owls are showing well at Cemlyn (6^th & 8^th).

Species – year to date:

The addition of Balearic Shearwater takes the running total for the year to date to 197.

The forthcoming week 11^th July – 17^th July?:

A European Bee-eater was at South Stack (11^th) in 1987, with a Woodchat Shrike at Cemlyn (12^th) in 2012.  A Lesser-crested Tern at Cymyran Bay (13^th) in 1982 was a first for Britain.  A White-winged Black Tern was at Llyn Trafwll (16^th) in 1977 and a Gull-billed Tern was at Point Lynas (16^th) in 1978. 

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2

Saturday 27th June – Friday 3rd July 2020

Intro:

A further week where returning waders are the stars of the show.

Before getting on to the news, a big thanks to all those who have shared details of their sightings over what has been the 3 ½ months of lockdown.  I know that many have been appreciative of news being shared and reported, even if the constraints of daily walks or more latterly the 5-mile travel allowance hasn’t allowed most to catch up with the birds.  Hopefully, the removal of restrictions on Monday – whilst still practicing common sense on social distancing – will allow many more hours to be spent in the field.  Please share details of what you see.

Waders:

The main news is coming from the Alaw estuary and Cemlyn where there are birders living close by.  The number of Common Sandpiper on the Alaw estuary has increased from 3 (30^th) to an impressive count of 17 (2^nd).  Black-tailed Godwits have also been returning, with 2 on the Alaw estuary (30^th), 4 on the Alaw estuary (2^nd) and 10 at Cemlyn (2^nd) – including a colour ringed bird.  The Alaw estuary (30^th) also had 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 138 Oystercatcher and 102 Curlew.

Passerines:

Belated news of a Ring-necked Parakeet (aka Ring-necked Parakeet) at Penmynydd on the 26^th June.  A Hooded Crow was on the Range (1^st), with 2 Chough families of 3 and 4 fledged birds.

Gulls and Terns:

A Roseate Tern was at Cemlyn (1^st), with a report of a pair having flown in earlier in the week.  12 Mediterranean Gulls were on the Alaw estuary (30^th).

Seabirds:

34 Manx Shearwater,11 Gannets, 36 Kittiwake and 2 Puffin were seen during a 1hr sea-watch off the Range (1^st).

Herons, Egrets and allies:

No records of note.

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

A Long-tailed Duck was at Cemlyn (27^th).

Divers & Grebes: 

No records of note.

Raptors:

A Little Owl was in the Range (1^st).

Species – year to date:

The addition of Rose-ringed Parakeet takes the running total for the year to date to 196.

The forthcoming week 4^th July – 10^th July?:

A Black-winged Pratincole was at Mona airfield (4^th) in 2001, with Anglesey’s first Sooty Tern being found at Rhosneigr (5th) in 2005, before relocating to the Skerries and then to Cemlyn.  South Stack has had a Cory’s Shearwater (6^th) in 1991, a Black Kite (6^th) in 2019 and the Snowy Owl (6^th) made a reappearance in 2018 after disappearing for several weeks having been seen by many near Amlwch Port.  Cemlyn had an Isabelline Shrike (7^th) which has now been split into Turkestan Shrike Lanius phoenicuroides, whist a Common Rosefinch was nearby at Cemaes Bay (7^th) in 2009.

Want to know more about historical birding records in North Wales - see: Scarce and Rare Birds in North Wales by Robin Sandham @birdsandbike  ISBN: 978-0-9957428-0-2